Dr. William Gasser, age 96, of Quincy, died on January 9, 2020 in his home. He was born on November 22, 1923 in East Conemaugh, PA the son of Michael and Frances (Thaler) Gasser. He married Nancy Ann Nabers on June 11, 1960. She survives.

He grew up in Vintondale, PA, a small coal-mining town near Johnstown, PA. A scholarship after high school took him to college instead of the Navy, but in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy V-7 program while in his sophomore year at college.

William served in active duty in the Navy until 1946, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Placed on inactive duty in 1946, he remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve until July 1972.

William went back to school in 1947, receiving a BS at Waynesburg College (1947), a MS at the University of Michigan (1948), a MSc at the University of Maryland (1952) and a PhD in chemistry at University of Maryland (1955).

William was a research chemist for Union Carbide Corp. (1956-61), and for Pfizer Corp. (1961-63). William and Nancy moved to Quincy in 1963 where he worked first as an associate Professor of Chemistry at Quincy University. He then became Professor of Chemistry, eventually attaining the title, “Professor Emeritus”. He retired in 1995 after 30 years at Quincy University.

He worked 40 years as a lab consultant at Blessing Hospital. While there he played a part in the “Michael Swango” case, analyzing some poison in tea.

William had many accomplishments. He belonged to the American Chemical Society for 60 years, Alpha Chi Sigma-Professional Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Society, among others. The William Gasser Endowment Fund Scholarship was started at Quincy University by the American Chemical Society in 2019.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Gasser is also survived by:
FOUR CHILDREN: Aurienne Pagliara, Gabrielle Arns and her husband Daniel, Nicolle Harris and Maria Bergman all of Quincy.
THIRTEEN GRANDCHILDREN: Heather Fleissner and her husband Jason, Noelle Stambaugh and her husband Seth, Shannon Reif and her husband David, Caleb Arns, Ethan Arns, Hayley Arns, Sterling Paradise, Madeline Paradise, Holden Paradise, Dawson Harris, Cade Bergman and his wife Rayme, Alexis Bergman, and Luke Bergman.
FOUR GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Beckett and Alexandria Fleissner, Theodore and Victoria Reif.
ONE BROTHER: Eugene Gasser
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

Dr. Gasser was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Anne Rizzo, Pauline Ross, Matilda Zakraysek and two brothers in infancy.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 9:30 in St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment in Sunset Cemetery of the Illinois Veterans Home with military rites at the cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at St. Francis Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to The William Gasser Endowment Fund at Quincy University and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.